By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Losing twice to Lenovo Tenerife in the 2022-23 edition of the Basketball Champions League was enough for Darussafaka Lassa.
The Turkish side prevailed, 88-84, in a Gameday 2 fixture of the 2023-24 Regular Season on Tuesday.
The 2022 NCAA champion with Kansas, David McCormack led all scorers with 18 points to his name. Muhammad Ali Abdur-Rahkman threw in 16 more points, including 11 in the third quarter. A total of 13 points in the second half fueled the comeback of the team coached by Yakup Sekizkok.
Coming off the bench, Tim Abromaitis tied Petr Benda on top of the list of players with the most games played in the Champions League at 85. In the second quarter, he also emerged as the first player with 400 rebounds in the league. The 34-year-old forward finished with four points and four rebounds in the losing effort.
His side, coached by experienced tactician Txus Vidorreta, managed to build an 18-point advantage in the first half. Struggles in the second half, especially in the third quarter, allowed the hosts back into the game and eventually to 2-0 in Group C. The Canary Islands outfit instead fell to 1-1.
Georgian center Giorgi Shermadini stood out for the visitors with 15 points in Istanbul’s Volkswagen Arena. Marcelo Huertas posted a 15-point, 11-assist double-double.
Doruk Dora and Canberk Kus did not suit up, and Kilicarslan Senkahya did not play for Dacka. Dusan Ristic was left out of Tenerife’s lineup.
Postgame press conference
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League